Automobile tool-box



H. I. HAHN.

AUTOMOBILE IODL BOX. APPLICATION FILED IUNE 21.1920.

1,368,432. Patented Feb.15,1921. I 51-! j g 6? 3 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

HUGO J. HAHN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMOBILE TOOL-BOX.

Application filed June 21. 1920.

T 0 all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, H noo J. HAHN, a cit zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook andthe State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automobile Tool-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following 18 a full and clear description of the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and the numerals marked} thereon, which form a part of the specification.

My invention relates more particularly to a tool box designed to be supported under the top of the automobile engine hood, and the tool box is so designed that it is accessible from either side.

In the past it has been the common practice to support the tool box on the running board of the automobile. This has proved very unhandy and inconvenient as a person would have to run back and forth for different tools if he was where a great many different tools are needed. And further he would have no good place to temporarily la aside a tool while using a difierent one. y invention among other advantages is designed to overcome these objections.

It is therefore an to support a tool box under of an automobile.

It is also an object of my invention to design a tool box that may be supported under any automobile hood.

It is further an object of my invention to degise a tool box that is accessible from both 51 es.

Other objects and advantages reside in the structure and arrangement whereby I attain these objects.

My invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated and more fully described hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fore part of an automobile with the hood omitted, showing my tool box in suspended position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tool box, on anenlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line object of my invention the engine hood Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

n the drawing in which similar reference Specification of Letters Patent.

working on the engine Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

Serial No. 890.381.

numerals refer to similar features in the different views, 1 represents the dash board of an automobile of any make or design, and 2 represents the usual radiator which in the present case is one used on a Ford car. A rod 3 is supported by the radiator and dashboard in any approved manner. A simple method consists in inserting the rod 3 in an aperture in the dash and screwing it into a part of the radiator or a boss attached there to. This rod 3 is designed to fit a plurality of eyes 1 which are formed in metal straps 5 attached to the tool box in any approved manner. As shown, I provide slits in the upper part of the box through which the straps extend and beneath which they are bent fiat against the surface of the box to which they may be secured by welding or otherwise. The eyes 4 are preferably formed by bending the upper end of the straps upon themselves and securing the overlapping parts to the main parts by means of bolts 6. These boltsfimay be withdrawn allowing thereby the flaps 4" to be bent outwardly sufficiently to allow the rod 3 to enter the eye, when said rod 3 is already in position, or the rod 3 may be inserted in the eyes before it is put in place. These eyes 4 in effect form clamps which might be said to clam the tool box to the rod 3 and preferably in such manner that the box is rigidlyv eld from swinging on the rod.

hile the box proper ma assume a variety of forms, preferably construct it of sheet metal and with a lower body portion or member 7 in the form of a trough; end plates 8 are welded or otherwise secured in the ends of the body member 7; the upper edges of these plates are beveled or sloped downwardly from the upper central point which determines the height of the box; a plate 9 bent from its center line u on angles corresponding to said beveled e ges is firmly secured to these end plates by means of rivets or welding. This top plate 9 contains the slits through which the straps 5 extend and they also support the hinged covers 10, one on each side of the box. These covers have a sloping top corresponding to the slope of the end plates 8 and vertical sides which overlap the body portion 7 a short distance, as shown in Fig. 5. Double hinges 11 are preferably used to hinge the covers to the supporting plate 9, as shown in F 2. The covers are e- ""best suited for its function,

means of hinge strap members 13 secured to said covers and having slots adapted to receive hasps 12 secured in the body portion. A pad lock may be hung upon the hasps after the covers are in closed position to lock the same.

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide different compartments in the box whereby different thi may be separately carried. Accordingly have illustrated a partition 14 which provides a small compartment near one end in which waste or the like may be carried.

In the use of my tool box as sup orted under the automobile gine, it should be particularly noted that when either flap of the hood is raised my tool box becomes accessible and it is only necessary to raise the cover on whatever side the o rator is working to gain access to the too s, and if at any time a different tool is desired, it is within easy reach, and the previously used tool may be temporarily laid in the box until it is Wanted again or until it is desired to permanently place it in its proper position in the box. The box may thus serve as a semi-work bench.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have provided a light but nevertheless strong and novel tool box, which is accessible from either side and which is located upon an automobile in a place and manner which is provided with proper suspending means whereby it may easily be secured in place, and

hood and over t e enwhen thus located cotiperates with the work that is to be done, and further by thus locating the box, I am enabled to use a larger tool box than is ordinarily used on the running board.

am aware that numerous details of this invention, may be varied through a wide range, without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limitin the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with an automobile engine and the hood thereof, of a tool box, and means supporting said tool box over the engine and under said hood, said tool box be1ng accessible from both sides of the engine.

2. The combination with an automobile engine and a hood therefor having a flap on each side, of a tool box having a cover on each side, and means supporting said box under said hood with said covers accessible through said flaps.

3. In an automobile, the combination with the engine hood thereof, of a rod supported interiorly thereof, and a tool box supported on said rod above the engine and accessible from both sides of the engine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of a subscribing witness.

HUGO J. HAHN. Witness:

EARL M. HARDINE. 

